Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Dark Inside
Jeyn Roberts
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Pages: 329

Rating: 3.5 stars

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everday people into hunters, killers, crazies.

Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd.

Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.

Dark Inside was a book I was really looking forward to. I had heard all sorts of brilliant praise and while it was a still a good book, it sadly did not live up to the hype I had heard.

I loved the idea behind Dark Inside. The book was told between many alternating perspectives which was cool. Aries storyline was definitely my favorite of the four. The others had their interesting moments, but I wasn't as into their storylines. I loved as the story got more chaotic, the storylines began to intersect.

I was hoping for more from the plot. I thought this one was supposed to be scary, and for me, it was a bit intense at times at the most.  This book took quite awhile to get into - it was after page 100 until the story picked up enough for me to be captivated enough to read more than a few pages at a time.

The characters were intriguing. I really want to know more about Daniel. He is so mysterious, never revealing much. I really liked Aries as well - she had spunk. Chickadee was another character who I really liked, even though she played a small role in the book. Some of the other characters bugged me at times.

This was a book I did enjoy overall, but I had a lot of issues along the way. I am curious about the sequel, more because I'm hoping for more questions to be answered. This was a promising debut, and I'm curious to see more from Jeyn Roberts in the future.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky
Veronica Rossi
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Pages:  400

Rating: 4 stars

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.

I had heard all sorts of hype for Under the Never Sky, but for me, it did not live up to the praises I had heard.  I still found it to be a very good read, and I am curious to see how the story will grow in the sequel.

Under the Never Sky was a very slow read. It picked up a little around page 200, but was still very slow and steady. Not that this was bad, I just was hoping for a little more to happen. That being said, the last 50 pages or so had a lot going on, and it set up a really cool premise for what is to come in book 2. I am very curious to see how the story will develop from here.

I was a bit confused about the world. For a large portion of the book I sat trying to piece together all the elements and come up with a coherent road map, but didn't have much luck. By the end I had been able to piece together a general idea, but I still was very unsure. It was a really cool world, but I didn't completely understand the Aether and the different Markings people could get. I am very curious to see more of this in book 2.

I really loved the mix in genres this one felt to have. There was definitely a huge element of dystopian, but also a lot of sci-fi and almost an element of fantasy. It was a lot of fun to read in that sense, as it wasn't solely one "thing".

I really enjoyed the characters in Under the Never Sky - they were definitely my favorite aspect. I loved Aria and Perry both. Roar was another favorite character of mine. I loved that the story alternated from Aria to Perry's story. It made it a lot more fun. I hope to hear from some of the characters only mentioned in passing or in conversations. Aria and Perry's relationship was one I really liked. It was slow to build and was absolutely adorable.

Under the Never Sky was a promising debut, and I am curious to see how Veronica Rossi grows as a writer in further books. Veronica Rossi has really set the stage in this novel for what will be an awesome book to follow.

Scored by Lauren McLaughlin

Scored
Lauren McLaughlin
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Pages: 240

Rating: 5 stars

Set in the future when teenagers are monitored via camera and their recorded actions and confessions plugged into a computer program that determines their ability to succeed. All kids given a "score" that determines their future potential. This score has the ability to get kids into colleges, grant scholarships, or destroy all hope for the above. Scored's reluctant heroine is Imani, a girl whose high score is brought down when her best friend's score plummets. Where do you draw the line between doing what feels morally right and what can mean your future? Friendship, romance, loyalty, family, human connection and human value: all are questioned in this fresh and compelling dystopian novel set in the scarily forseeable future.

Dystopians that are realistic are the best sort of reads, and Lauren McLaughlin absolutely nailed that aspect in Scored. Being in my first year of college, I know all about the pressure of being scored, since I had to go through the intense process of essentially being scored by the college admissions officials, but Scored takes what teens today know to an entirely new level. I read this book in one sitting - it was just a brilliant read.

I loved the plot. It was so believable that something like this could happen in the future, and as eerie as that is, it was such a fascinating read. Scored really plays up the emotions and what values people will to hold and which they will toss out. The scenes in Mr. Carol's class were definitely among my favorite, those along with the rendezvous that Imani and Diego have. Something else I really loved about Scored is that it could take place in the near future. That was what made it so cool.

The characters were great. I really liked Mr. Carol - he was quite possibly my favorite character of the book. He was so funny, but it wasn't like he was attempting to be funny. It was simply his actions would come off that way. I also really liked the way he challenged his students. Diego was another really great character. I loved that he fought back and didn’t simply settle with what he was handed. Imani was a good main character – My thoughts on her did waver at one point in the book, but I was happy she made the right decisions.

This book was just awesome - definitely among my top books of the year. I could not put it down while I was reading, and as soon as I finished, I wanted to pick it up and read it all over again. With its realistic take on the future and wonderful characters, Scored will be sure to become a longtime favorite. I really loved this one quite a lot.

This review is cross-posted from YA Books Central, where it was originally posted.

Revealing Eden by Victoria Foyt

Revealing Eden
Victoria Foyt
Publisher: Sand Dollar Press
Release Date: October 6, 2011
Pages: 320

Rating: 2 stars

Eden Newman must mate before her 18th birthday in six months or she'll be left outside to die in a burning world. But who will pick up her mate-option when she's cursed with white skin and a tragically low mate-rate of 15%? In a post-apocalyptic, totalitarian, underground world where class and beauty are defined by resistance to an overheated environment, Eden's coloring brands her as a member of the lowest class, a weak and ugly Pearl. If only she can mate with a dark-skinned Coal from the ruling class, she'll be safe. Just maybe one Coal sees the Real Eden and will be her salvation her co-worker Jamal has begun secretly dating her. But when Eden unwittingly compromises her father's secret biological experiment, she finds herself in the eye of a storm and thrown into the last area of rainforest, a strange and dangerous land. Eden must fight to save her father, who may be humanity's last hope, while standing up to a powerful beast-man she believes is her enemy, despite her overwhelming attraction. Eden must change to survive but only if she can redefine her ideas of beauty and of love, along with a little help from her "adopted aunt" Emily Dickinson.

The premise of this one sounded super cool, but I found the execution of the story a bit off. Dystopian reads are very hit or miss for me. There is something about them, some quality I am always looking for and when I don't find it, I generally am not crazy about the book. Though, I did finish this one, I was constantly intrigued trying to figure out what was happening, because a lot of the time I wasn't entirely sure.

Revealing Eden was definitely a fast read. The first few chapters were slower to read, as I was trying to piece together the world and figure out what was going on. What happened from there was definitely not what I had pictured from reading the premise. Generally speaking I could figure out what was going on, but there were smaller aspects of the plot arc that I never quite figured out.. My huge issue was the instant love scenario that happens. Eden was lusting after another guy, then all at once, changes teams and is going for another guy. There was no lead up, nothing. I also had a bit of an issue with some happenings towards the end of the book - it just made no sense to me. I also could not fully understand the logic behind injecting humans with animal DNA, it was just too weird for me.

I thought that a lot of the minor characters were really great. They had great qualities. I really liked Maria quite a lot. Eden was a weaker character for me. She was insecure to the point I would consider it a fault. Bramford was the most real character of the book for me.

Overall, Revealing Eden was not the book for me. I would recommend it for those who really like a unique dystopian. There were too many questions I had to let me fully enjoy the book. It was a fast read, but I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending and the characters, overall, were a little off.

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend
Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: November 29, 2011
Pages: 336
Source: BEA

Rating: 4 stars

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.


From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Legend was an interesting read - it started out being a book that I almost didn't finish, but ended up finishing strong and turning out to quite the read.

It was divided into 2 sections. Part 1 was a total flop for me. I was bored until about the last 15-20 pages of it, and even then I wasn't completely on board. Part 2, now THAT was one heck of a read. I couldn't put it down, and I loved the twists and turns to plot took. The plot was not simple at all, instead it kept thickening and thickening.

The world was super cool - I always love the worlds in dystopians. I think that was part of what contributed to the slow factor - the world building that had to go on. The whole deal with the Republic was a bit confusing at first, but as things became clearer, it was simply fascinating.

I had issues connecting with the characters. As the book went on, it become a bit easier to connect with them but characters were definitely not my favorite point of the book. I really liked Tess, I thought she was just a total sweetheart. Though, I would have loved to know more about her and why she is on the streets with Day.

As far as dystopians go, this one was a pretty good read as long as you don't mind a very long beginning of about 150 pages in which nothing happens. The other half of the book is brilliant, but it was that first part that held me back from absolutely loving this one. I am super excited to see where Day and June's story goes in book 2!

Tour: Prized by Caragh M O'Brien

Prized (Birthmarked #2)
Caragh M O'Brien
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Release Date: Novemberr 8, 2011
Pages: 368

Rating: 4 stars

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

I was very much anticipating Prized, after reading Birthmarked and absolutely loving it. While I didn't love Prized quite as much as Birthmarked, it still was a really good read. I found the plot very intriguing, but my biggest issue was with the main character, Gaia.

I wasn't as on board with the plot for the first chunk of the book. It seemed a bit rocky and I was a little uncomfortable by the happenings of some of the characters. This changed, and the plot became very intriguing. It was so different from the world of Birthmarked, and I loved discovering it!

Gaia changed a lot in this book, and I found her to be a much weaker character. Many of her choices just didn't see on board with the Gaia I had come to know in Birthmarked. That aside, I loved all the characters in Prized. Will, Peter, Norris, they were all just extremely lovely. I still can't help but to fall for Leon, I simply love him. He is probably my favorite character of the book, and he just gets more complex as a character in Prized.

Prized was an intriguing read that I didn't want to put down. Most of the characters are absolutely lovely, and the plot is one to get you hooked! I am eagerly anticipating the last book in the trilogy, I am very curious to see where Caragh M O'Brien will take readers after the unpredictable twist Prized ends with. These books are among my favorite dystopians, as I just love mostly everything about the two!

Prized Blog Tour: Interview with Caragh M O'Brien

I am so excited to be a part of the Prized blog tour.Birthmarked, book 1, was my first dystopian I ever read and remains one of my favorite today!

Caragh M. O'Brien is the author of  Birthmarked and Prized. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ms. O'Brien was educated at Williams College and earned her MA from Johns Hopkins University. She has recently resigned from teaching high school English in order to write full-time. You can find her on the web at http://www.caraghobrien.com 

Who was your favorite character to write in Prized?

First, Erica, let me say thanks for inviting me by. I’m so happy to be stopping for a visit with you at the Book Cellar on my blog tour for Prized!

You probably won’t be surprised that Gaia is my favorite character to write. She has become very complex for me, and normally I like her intensely. She’s smart and full of integrity, but fallible, too. When she started making mistakes and taking risks in this novel, it was awful for me, and for certain scenes, it actually hurt to write what she was feeling. She has forced me to change as a person myself, if that makes sense. Injustice comes in many sizes, and she’s helped me see that I have a responsibility to be a braver person and better friend, even when that’s uncomfortable. At least, I have to try.

If you could be any mythology creature, what would you be?

Unfortunately, most mythological creatures creep me out a little because they’re part animal and part human. Have you noticed they’re usually angry, too? If I had to choose, I’d go for the Sphinx, because at least she was smart and liked riddles. She probably had a nice view from her high rock, too.

Would you say Prized had a theme song at all? If so, what is it?

Prized doesn’t have a theme song in the normal way, but there is a song I associate with writing this novel. I listened it to it frequently when I was walking to think through snags, and it reinforced the feelings I had for the characters. It’s hard to say why, exactly. Music is like that. I can say for certain that this singer’s voice is true and raw, the melody achingly full of longing. The music swells in a way that works me up and leaves me both lonely and stronger than I was before. Perhaps you know “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles (link: http://grooveshark.com/#/s/Gravity+album+Version+/W7STF?src=5).

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would like to go to the Yukon and travel the Dawson Trail to see where Buck goes in Jack London’s The Call of the Wild.

Could you tell us 5 random facts about you?

Sure!
I attended a convent school until seventh grade.
Recently, I acquired glasses so now my world is sharp, which is a big thrill.
I love my country but I fear national pride.
When I sing in a local chorus where I’m a second soprano, I get goose bumps.
My nonna’s homemade fudge recipe is one I know by heart and I made it today.

Prized Code #5: I

These were fun questions, Erica. Thank you so much for having me here! For my blog tour tomorrow, I’m heading over to the Manga Maniac Café to talk about seminal books with Julie.

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There will be a chat on Goodreads when the blog tour wraps up November 8th. Everyone is welcome :) The link is here. MacTeenBooks will be the central hub for all information, so make sure to visit there!

Be sure to check out my review of Prized, which will be up tomorrow :)

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Ashfall
Mike Mullin
Publisher: Tanglewood Press
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Pages: 466

Rating: 1.5 stars

Under the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. Most people don't know it's there. The caldera is so large that it can only be seen from a plane or satellite. It just could be overdue for an eruption, which would change the landscape and climate of our planet. 

Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth. With a combination of nonstop action, a little romance, and very real science, this is a story that is difficult to stop reading and even more difficult to forget.

Ashfall was a very mixed boat for me. I really did enjoy some aspects of it, but overall, I found my dislikes outweighing my likes. It did hold my attention long enough for me to finish, but that is the biggest compliment I found for it.

I have to give major props to Mike Mullin for having a kick-ass female lead character. Darla always knows what to do, saves Alex's butt way too many times, and gets them out of situations. Though, I found her logic skewed in some instances. Alex on the other hand I had a bit of an issue with. I just felt like he didn't use his head - which should be your first priority. I mean, hello? You are in a DISASTER.

The concept of this book was cool, but the execution was a bit off. I had an issue with the descriptions of killing animals. I get it, it's disaster, people need to eat, animals get sick, etc but I found myself having to skip pages because I couldn't stomach the killing of animals. I did like the fact of how scary Ashfall was, in the sense that this could really happen some day!

The first chunk of the book was iffy for me. I was turned off mainly be Alex's behavior. I had this thing with the fact that he has a limited number of bottles of water, and he kept talking about drinking a whole bottle for breakfast and another for dinner, then realizing he'd be out of water soon. Again, in a disaster! I would think you'd conserve til the last possible moment. Another thing I found a bit odd was how it almost felt like

The story changed then and I was was enjoying it a bit more. Mrs Edmunds was AWESOME. I loved her! I also found the relationship between Darla and Alex that develops a bit awkward. I mean, there were definitely moments where is was absolutely adorable, but I felt like a lot of the time I was like *awkward turtle*. As the story went on, I had no idea where some of the plot turns came from. I mean they were definitely unique, but I found myself rereading going, wait, what? I didn't feel like the end had any closure. It was just done, and I get cliffhangers, but those at least are at a height of action of something. This was just an end.

This definitely was not the book for me, but I definitely would see how some people would find it a good read - with the whole factor that it really COULD happen! I have heard brilliant things from so many people, but I had a few issues along the way, which ultimately lead to my not being crazy about the book.

While I wasn't as crazy about Ashfall, here are some reviews that simply loved it:
A Book Vacation
That Bookish Girl
Bibliotropic

Trailer + Giveaway: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Check out the page for the book and the author here. AND you can see Gabrielle Zevin on tour this fall, I am SO jealous of anyone who gets to go! Details are here.

So I also have one copy of All These Things I've Done to give away to one lucky person. Open to US/Canada only and ends September 17th.

The Postmortal by Drew Magary

The Postmortal
Drew Magary
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: August 30, 2011
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher

Rating: 4 stars

John Farrell is about to get "The Cure."
Old age can never kill him now.
The only problem is, everything else still can . . .

Imagine a near future where a cure for aging is discovered and-after much political and moral debate-made available to people worldwide. Immortality, however, comes with its own unique problems-including evil green people, government euthanasia programs, a disturbing new religious cult, and other horrors. Witty, eerie, and full of humanity, The Postmortal is an unforgettable thriller that envisions a pre-apocalyptic world so real that it is completely terrifying.

The Postmortal was a cool read that was something that felt like it could be so real in the not so far off future. With its thought-provoking premise, readers will be sorry to miss The Postmortal.

The Postmortal had a really cool design . First, off it spans over the period of many years so it's divided into sections because of that. Then, the actual book itself is a mix of writings from John, blog posts from others, facts about the changing world and how the Cure is affecting things, and other things like that. It really broke up the story, and I really liked that constant change.

The Postmortal had a bit of a slower start to it, then the story picked up and I really enjoyed it. The end slowed down a bit again, and it just got a bit long.

I really liked Katy. I thought she was a wonderful character, and while she was only in a very brief section of the book, that was one of my favorites parts. She was so free. Polly was another character I really admired - she was the grounding of the book I felt. she was so sensible, and even when things got out of her control, she was still just this great character.

The relationship between John and Allison really just didn't feel that real. I felt like that with Sonia and John too. There was no lead up, it was just this all of a sudden relationship and it was very unrealistic to me.

The Postmortal is definitely a book I would recommend to all. With its intriguing premise, it was a very thought provoking read that I simply didn't want to put down.

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Enclave
Ann Aguirre
Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: April 12, 2011
Pages: 259
Source: ARC for Review

Rating: 5 stars

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.


Enclave was a real treat to read! I simply loved every page. Dystopians, for me, are a hit or miss, and Enclave was very much a hit. The characters are relatable and the story is just wonderful.

Enclave was a fascinating story. While the plot is a edgier and harsher, there was an underlying warmth that ran alongside the main story. I'm really curious to see how the story develops in book 2 and how the characters grow. It starts out quicker paced, but once Deuce and Fade get further on their journey, the pace gets even faster, making it a very quick read.

The characters in Enclave were very well written. Even the minor characters, like Banner and Stone, stay fresh in my mind, and don't merely fade into the wallpaper like minor characters have a tendancy to do. Deuce was such a strong heroine, and I really appreciated that. I fell for Fade right away.

Enclave ends with an ending to leave readers hanging. I gasped, and frantically turned the page, looking for more story, but could only find acknowledgements. I cannot wait for Outpost, book 2, as it will be one heck of a story!

Enclave is an absolutely wonderful read. I read most of it in one sitting, as I couldn't bear to put it down. The characters were all very relatable, and the story is very interesting. A must read.

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Also see Enclave's awesome trailer, below

Wither by Lauren Destefano

Wither
Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Release Date: March 22, 2011
Pages: 356
Source: ARC for Review

Rating: 4.5 stars

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.
But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left.

I really enjoyed Wither. I thought it was a really creative and unique book filled with a great cast of characters. Wither starts out slower, but soon turns into an intense page turner that will leave you begging for more!

While the story was slow building at first, it is very interesting to read about. The first chunk of the book I was not as in to the story, and it was a bit more of world building, to set the stage. All at once, I was so caught up in the story, and could barely put it down. I was sneaking in pages whenever I could.  I loved the science of the idea of the human race dying so young. I thought it was a really cool idea.

I absolutely loved the characters of Wither. While I found Cecily shallow and annoying at times, she really had her charming moments. Rhine annoyed me at different times throughout the book, but like Cecily had her moments. Jenna was hands down my favorite character of the book - she was so lovely. Vaughn was so absolutely creepy - I thought he was probably the best written character out of the book.

Wither's cover is one of my favorites I have seen in a very long time. It is absolutely stunning. Wither is a book I would definitely suggest. It's interesting and very thought provoking. It is a book you will not want to miss.

Matched by Ally Condie

Matched
Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Pages: 384

Rating: 3 stars

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion.

Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic.

I've heard so many wonderful things about this book. I've heard nothing but glowing things about it. I really liked it, but for me it just didn't have a wow factor to push it to the next level. There were wonderful things about it, but it just didn't have that addictive quality I crave for in a book.

The characters were my favorite part of this book. I really liked Ky, he was so sweet. Cassia was a strong character as well. Even the smaller characters really just came to life and brought so much to the story. Cassia's Grandpa was another character I simply loved - he was such a nice person.

I loved the society aspect of Matched. The world was just so neat. I really liked all the little details Condie put in. The plot was intriguing, but for me was the biggest fault of the book. It just lacked that umph that makes me crazy addicted to a book. I still was interested while I read, but there was never that I need to know what is happening next. It was simply good.

The story was a bit slow moving for my liking. Condie did a wonderful job developing the world, but that took a lot of time. The ending was one of the best parts of the book, and has me very excited for the next book. I think the sequel(s) to this book will be even better than this one, as the world is already built and it doesn't need to be developed.

I did like this one, and I would suggest reading it. It wouldn't make my favorite list, but worth a try.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner
James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Pages: 374

Rating: 5 stars

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is black. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as they could remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, they’ve closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas’s arrival. But the next day, a girl arrives in the lift—the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might be able to find their way home . . . wherever that may be. But it’s looking more and more as if the maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl’s arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers—if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

I loved this book. There is no other way to put it. I had been looking forward to it since before its release, but for some reason I never read it. I had heard people such as Gail preach of its awesomeness, yet I just kept reading other things. What a dumb thing to do, as this book is one of the most amazing things you will ever read. It is by far the best dystopian.

I will now put things into even further perspective. I had a blogger friend who hadn't read The Maze Runner yet to rate The Maze Runner on a scale of House of Night to Brightly Woven. If you didn't know, I find Brightly Woven to be about the world’s greatest book. The Maze Runner lands a solid 9 on this scale, maybe even higher. It is pure geniusness. In case you haven't realized this, I love this book a lot.

The Maze Runner is a book that you will not be able to put down. Right away on page one, you get caught up in the story. Thomas, the main character, lands down in the Glade and has no idea where he is or what is going on. You are kind of in the same boat, and you experience that same sense of discovery that Thomas does. As you discover what is going on and WHAT the Glade is, you just get more involved trying to figure out all the other little details of the plot.

I really enjoy a good dystopian. Lately, dystopians haven't been living up to my expectations, but I found The Maze Runner to go beyond every expectation I have for it. I can't really put my finger on it, but lately every dystopian I read, there's something just a bit off about it, or some aspect that just lets me down. The Maze Runner did this is no way, shape, or form.

Something I really liked about The Maze Runner was the lack of romance. Lately, it seems every book pushes romance, and particularly in dystopians, I find these to fall flat and usually end up with me not liking the book. The Maze Runner instead has a very strong essence of friendship, which felt so real, and I was really happy the Dashner did not try to go the other way and try to push a love story.

The Maze Runner is definitely a thrilling read, to keep you on the edge of your seat. There are several scenes where the tension and suspense are so intense, and you were basically falling out of your chair to find out what happened next. The evil beings in The Maze Runner are these half machine and half creepy creature called Grievers. They are so creepy and the name makes them even scarier.

The characters were a lot of fun. All the characters were so vastly different. The qualities in each weren't really repeated, and it was really unique. These characters are in this world where they have to live their own lives, and their strongest qualities seem to be brought out most. In some, their strongest quality is evidently what leads to their downfall. Teresa was my favorite character of the book, hands down. I liked the strength she brought with her.

The plot will keep you guessing until the very last page. James Dashner doesn't let you figure out everything, and as soon as you figure out one small detail, you're left with about 5 more to figure out. I also feel the urge to mention my love for the cover and how I think it captures the essence of the Glade perfectly.

I have found a new favorite author. Please now excuse me, as I am leaving and going to reading more of The Scorch Trials, which is just as good as The Maze Runner so far, and I may be slightly addicted. And by slightly, you should realize I mean extremely addicted ;)
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Other people who have reviewed this book:

Ticket To Anywhere
Good Books and Wine
The Crooked Shelf

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay

Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: August 24, 2010

Pages: 400
Source: Purchased

Rating: 3 stars

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

I thought The Hunger Games was just an average ok book. I liked Catching Fire a lot more. Mockingjay sadly didn't improve to the level I was hoping and evaded the wow factor I waas hoping for. It honestly was disappointing. It simply did not live up to all the hype it had received.

I felt nothing throughout the entire book until about the last 15 pages, then my emotions were running high. With everything that happens in Mockingjay, I thought my emotions would be going crazy. There was no urge to flip the pages as fast as I could and keep reading to find out the ending.

I absolutely adored the last page of the book and the epilogue, but other than that there were no moments I absolutely loved. Sure there were scenes I enjoyed, but after Catching Fire I was expecting a lot more. A lot of parts of the book just seemed under developed. I am just not a fan of the writing. I'm not sure what it is, but me and it simply don't click.

This series really for me came down to Peeta. I almost put The Hunger Games down and didn't finish, but then Peeta walked into the story and played a much more active part. Catching Fire largely revolved around Peeta. The parts of Mockingjay I did like tended to be Peeta scenes. I haven't been crazy about the other characters in the series, except for Cinna, Rue, and Peeta. I really am not a fan of Katniss. I didn't like her in The Hunger Games, but thought she rounded out a bit more in Catching Fire. In Mockingjay, I found myself not liking her.

While I wasn't crazy that crazy about Mockingjay, Collins did a nice job wrapping up the series. It, to me, was a book that was disappointing, and nothing worth rushing out at midnight to get.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 1st, 2009
Pages: 391

Rating: 4 stars

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

I was shocked at how much I loved Catching Fire. All my issues with The Hunger Games seemed to fade away in this second installment of Katniss and Peeta's story. Catching Fire made me understand the hype these books get, as it was really good, and make me realize how happy I was that awesome people like Gail and Heidi convinced me to read these.

Katniss really rounded out as a character in Catching Fire, and I actually liked her, as opposed to how she drove me insane in The Hunger Games. Peeta continues to be a favorite character of mine. I just love him!

I also found the writing much better in Catching Fire. Hunger Games had held me back, but I found myself zipping through this book in just a few hours, totally addicted.

I'm still not 100% sold on these books, but I did enjoy Catching Fire a heck of a lot! I am joining the masses dying to read Mockingjay - which I will promptly be preordering. What an ending!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: October 1st, 2008
Pages: 374

Rating: 3 stars

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I think I'm about the last person on the planet earth to read this book, and also about the first person not to absolutely adore these books. I had been told to read them for ages, particularly from Gail. The last 100 pages or so is really what redeemed it for me.

My big issue with this book was the writing. It seriously almost made me put it down, but every time I was about to do that, the book would redeem itself slightly. The first third to half of the book was awfully slow. It was slow reading, but at the same time intriguing. I didn't really understand all of what was going on, so I wanted to know everything.

I loved the characters. Most of them all had such depth and were wonderful. Rue was absolutely my favorite character of the book. I adored her. Peeta was a character I liked right off the bat. Katniss was an interesting character, but I found her a bit annoying. I just didn't like her thoughts. I found her flat and I didn't like her at all.

Another thing about The Hunger Games I really did like was the world. I thought it was simply fascinating and I loved how Collins set it up.

This was overall a good read, but it just didn't live up to what I thought it would be. I have heard nothing but glowing things for it, and while I loved all the character (minus Katniss some of the time) and thouht the plot was original and intriguing, the plot was slower and I really wasn't a fan of the writing. The ending though, was ace, and has me extremely excited for Catching Fire.

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Inside Out
Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 1, 2010
Pages: 432

Rating: 4.5 stars

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? Not like it's all that dangerous - the only neck I risk is my own. Until I accidently start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution. I should have just said no...

Inside Out is a terrific read that will keep you on the edge of your seats, guessing what will happen next. It's another lovely novel by the wonderful Maria V. Snyder.

Inside Out took a bit to really get into, but then it was simply amazing. Snyder pulls out all the stops with Inside Out. The first thing that really sucks you in is the amazing world Snyder has created with Inside Out. It's vivid and stays in your mind. Inside Out takes you on a roller coaster filled with many twists and turns. You were never quite sure where Maria V. Snyder was going to take you next.

As in her other novels, Inside Out is filled with a full cast of amazing characters. Snyder makes every character seem real. Trella is strong, and one of those characters that makes you go wow, and admire her for everything she does. She continues to grow throughout the story, and I loved watching this. Now I must move onto my absolute favorite character of the novel - Riley. He was so cute and I loved every moment him and Trella spent together. Trella had a tendacy to be cold, and Riley "thawed" her out.

Inside Out ends with a ending that'll satisfy readers, and hold them over until Outside In comes out. Frankly, the day that Outside In comes out cannot come fast enough!

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

Birthmarked
Caragh M. O'Brien
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Release Date: March 30, 2010
Pages:

Rating: 4.5 stars

After climate change, on the north shore of Unlake Superior, a dystopian world is divided between those who live inside the wall, and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone, who live outside. It’s Gaia’s job to “advance” a quota of infants from poverty into the walled Enclave, until the night one agonized mother objects, and Gaia’s parents are arrested.

Badly scarred since childhood, Gaia is a strong, resourceful loner who begins to question her society. As Gaia’s efforts to save her parents take her within the wall, she herself is arrested and imprisoned.

Fraught with difficult moral choices and rich with intricate layers of codes, BIRTHMARKED explores a colorful, cruel, eerily familiar world where one girl can make all the difference, and a real hero makes her own moral code

Birthmarked is a thrilling dystopian that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's really a remarkable debut.

The plot had me on the edge the entire time. I kept guessing about what would happen next, and then something else would happen. Plus, I loved how Caragh M. O’Brien managed to capture that essence of how something like this could happen. It was so believable, and I think that was what made me love it so much.

My single issue with Birthmarked was the ending. It seemed abrupt and choppy. The story was flowing so nicely, and, in my opinion, the lead up to the ending was my favorite part of the book. Then it just ended. I would’ve liked to hear a bit more, and not just be left wondering.

I love the cover for Birthmarked. I think it does a nice job of capturing the books contents. Birthmarked was really eerie, and I think the cover captured that light exactly. I love the design, the cover is absolutely stunning. I love the gleam in the girls eye – it just draws you to the book.

I absolutely loved Birthmarked. The entire book was gripping, but the last 100 pages were impossible to put down. This is one dystopian you don't want to miss!

The Line by Teri Hall

The Line
Teri Hall
Release Date: March 4, 2010
Publisher: Dial Books
Pages: 192

Rating: 3.5 stars

Set in the near future, THE LINE chronicles the adventures of fifteen year old Rachel Quillen. Since her father died in a war, Rachel and her mother, Vivian, have lived in relative isolation on a place called The Property. It's the home of Ms. Moore, a taciturn woman who makes her living growing orchids. She hired Rachel’s mother as a housekeeper, even though she sensed Vivian was in some sort of trouble. Ms. Moore couldn’t be too picky, for there are reasons that good help is hard to find when you live too near the Line.

The National Border Defense System is an impenetrable barrier intended to protect the Unified States from invasion. Because of an impending attack, construction of the System had to be rushed, and the last section—called the Line—was built inside the U.S. border. When it was hastily activated, it created a permanent division between those lucky enough to be on the U.S. side and those who were not. Families were ripped apart, lovers separated. The territory left unprotected became known as Away; the abandoned unfortunates who survived the enemy attack became the Others. Over the years frightening stories circulated about the Others, stories about strange abilities and evil intentions. The Line became a place to avoid.

For Rachel, the activation of the Line is just a history lesson; it happened long before she was born. Life on The Property has been good, if rather dull, and the Line is just something that has always been there. But things are about to change in ways she never imagined and suddenly the world outside The Property—a world of government control and corruption, where people without power or influence have few choices—begins to intrude.

I really enjoyed The Line. With it, I have found a wonderful new author. The plot is intriguing - dealing with a futuristic society in what used to be the United States.

I absolutely loved the idea of the dystopian society. The plot was wonderful. My only complaint about the plot was that the beginning was slower and, to me, was almost like a prologue to build up to an amazing end.

I loved the characters Teri Hall casted in the story. All the females in the book were strong, which was something I loved. Ms Moore was a wonderful character. She seemed simply a cranky old lady at first, but you really get to know her as the story goes on. Rachel was adorable, and I loved her determination.

The Line ends with an ending to make readers gasp. I cannot wait for book 2, as I am desparate to know what'll happen next! Is it next year yet? This is a wonderful debut you do not want to miss.